Necktie clasp



y 1935- E. 5. MIX 2,009,941

NECKTIE CLASP Filed April 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l Edwin J. Nix,

E. 5. MIX

NECKTIE CLASP July 30, 1935.

Filed April 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. 5 MIX NECKTIE CLASP July 30, 1935.

Filed April 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sh'bet 3 gwucnrm fa m i7? J: Mix,

fln H M July 30, E. 5. MIX I NECKTIE CLASP Filed April 5. l934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Snow Mon Edwin LiMax Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NECKTIE CLASP Application April 5, 1934, Serial a... 719,210

24 Claims.

This invention relates to clasps and more particularly to clasps of ornamental nature or design for fastening four-in-hand neckties or scarfs to the bosoms of shirts or to fasten together the two ends of a tied four-in-hand necktie or scarf in accordance with the fashion of the present day.

One object of the present invention is to provide a simple, durable, effective and ornamental clasp of the nature and for the purposes stated in which the clasp may be readily sprung or snapped into and out of operative condition for clasping application or removal from clasping position.

' Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an ornamental article of jewelry in the nature of a bar type of clasp for connecting a tied four-in-hand necktie or scarf to a shirt bosom or for connecting the free ends of a tied among other characteristics, providing for a snap action which creates a noise pleasing to the senses and which clasp is eifective in operation to secure the necktie to the shirt bosom or to secure the ends of the necktie together.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a clasp including a relatively rigid member and a spring member connected thereto for clasping coaction therewith and formed to provide for a displacement or distortion of a por tion of the spring member under the influence of pressure thereon so as to effect snap actions thereof in opposite directions to obtain alternate positive clamping or clasping action and opening or separation of the clamping or clasping portions of the clasp.

.,It is still further designed to provide a clasp in the nature of an article of jewelry designed particularly for application to neckties or scarfs or other articles of wearing apparel and in which the clasp is operated under the influence of finger or thumb and finger pressure to eifect opening and closing of the clasp.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be restorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

four-in-hand necktie or scarf together, and

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view of the clasp unattached to wearing apparel or other materials, illustrating the clasp members open.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, illustrating the clasp members closed.

Fig. -3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 4-4 of, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. r

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the clasp applied 4 to secure a four-in-hand necktie tothe button Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line |2l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view illustrating another form of auxiliary spring portion.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view on the line l4|4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view on the line Iii-l6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 16a is a fragmentary rear elevation showing one form of means I! for securing the facing bar I5 to the outer clasp member.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of another modification of the invention.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view of another modification of the invention.

Figs. 19 to 21, inclusive, illustrate a still further modification of the invention.

Fig. 22 is a plan view of another modification of the invention.

Fig. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view centrally through the plan view of Fig..22.

Fig. 24 is a plan view of another modification of the invention.

Fig. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view centrally I through the plan view of Fig. 24.

Fig. 26 is a plan view of another modification of the invention.

Fig. 2'? is a longitudinal sectional view centrally through the plan view of Fig. 26.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference character A indicates one embodiment of clasp constructed in accordance with my idea of the production of an ornamental and efiective necktie or other clasp to be worn as an article of jewelry and which includes two clasping members, one rigid and the other a snap spring member, rigidly connected together at one end, and operative under finger or finger and thumb pressure to open and close the same.

To the ends, just alluded to, the clasp A embodies an outer member, in this instance, a rigid bar of precious metal or other rigid or stiflf metal I, having one end bent or otherwise directed laterally, as at 2, and then directed forwardly longitudinally of the member I to form a rigid support 3, spaced by said bent or bight portion 2,

from the body of the outer bar I.

The inner or snap spring member 4 of the clasp is composed preferably of thin metal or other suitable, preferably resilient or spring metal. This inner clasp member 4 is preferably rigidly connected at its inner end to the aforesaid support 3 of the rigid bar I. The support 3 may be bifurcated, as at 5, to receive the inner end of the resilient clasp member 4 and the latter is clamped tightly in said bifurcation 5 or welded or soldered therein, as may be desired, but in any event, in a manner to provide for a firm rigid connection and mounting of the clasp member 4 with relation to the clasp member I.

As illustrated, the outer end of the bar clasp member I is slightly longer than the inner spring metal clasp member 4 and at its free end extends slightly forwardly beyond the latter but obviously both may terminate substantially even at their outer ends, if desired.

The inner spring snap clasp member 4 is provided between its ends with an auxiliary displaceable spring portion formed by a depression 6 which may be concave-convex and which is disposed preferably to bridge the central portion of the curve of the spring snap member 4 and which is the means which gives the spring snap action to the inner resilient clasp member 4.

This displaceable portion 6 may be of round formation or of other shape and form as will be described hereinafter, but in any event, under pressure on the spring metal member 4 this auxiliary spring portion 6 is adapted to be displaced in opposite directions over-center with relation to the plane of the resilient clasp member 4 and distorted in such action and eifecting looking positions to maintain the clasp open or closed as desired.

When the clasp members I and 4 are open, that is to say, separated, as illustrated in Fig. 1, to receive fabric or other material or an edge portion of the front of a shirt 'I and the flaps or ends of a tied necktie 8 between them, it will be seen that the spring snap member 4 is formed upon a curve with its outer end 9 flared away from the rigid bar member I to form a throat II) to facilitate the reception of the shirt edge portion and the necktie flaps or ends and provide for an easy and ready application of the clasp A for the purposes stated.

Assuming that the clasp has its clasp members open or separated, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and it is desired to apply the clasp to hold the ends or flaps of the necktie to the wearer's shirt or to hold the flaps or ends of the necktie together, it is simply necessary for the wearer to position the open clasp of Fig. 1 to receive the shirt edge portion and the necktie flaps or ends or the ends of the tie only in the throat I0 of the clasp and move the latter horizontally to dispose the bight portion 2 of the clasp close to the corresponding edges of the material or materials between the clasping members and with the fingers or thumb and finger press the outer ends of the clasp members I and 4 onto the shirt and necktie or materials to be clamped therebetween.

The finger or thumb and finger pressing action takes place preferably with the wearers index finger at the outer end of the bar I and the thumb placed on the flaring end 9 of the spring metal member 4 opposite the index finger. Slight pressure exerted by the thumb on the outer end 9 of the spring member 4, outwardly beyond the depression 6, causes the outer end 9 of the spring member 4 to move toward the bar I, and as it moves, gradually straightening out the curvature of the curved spring member 4 including the curved outer end 9 thereof as the spring member moves closer toward the bar I until the outer end 9 of the spring member reaches substantially a parallel position with the bar I, when and at such time, the depression 5 causes the spring member 4 between the depression 6 and the fixed inner end of the spring member 4 to bulge outwardly quickly, displacing and distorting the depression 6 and effecting a quick snapping action of the outer end of the spring metal member 4, such as causes the outer end of the spring metal member 4 to snap quickly toward the bar I. By virtue of the consequent distortion of the normal longitudinal curvature of the spring metal member 4 and the outward bulging of the spring metal member 4 and the displacement of the depression 6 there is exerted a downward thrust or pressure on the outer end 9 of the spring metal member 4 which effectively clasps the materials between the outer end of the rigid bar I and the outer end portion 9 of the spring metal member 4.

To remove the clasp from the operative position with relation to the clasping of materials, as pointed out immediately above, the clasp members l and 4 are opened or separated and this also is accomplished by finger or thumb and finger pressing action on the opposite side oi the depression 6, that is, between the depression 6, and the irmer' end of the spring metal member 4 or by pressing directly on the depression 6, when the slightest pressure on the spring metal member 4 on the bulged or depressed portion 5 or to one side thereof toward the support 3 will cause a quick outward snapping movement of the outer end 9 of the spring member 4 away from the outer end of the bar I.

This pressure on the spring member directly or slightly inwardly of the depression 6 results in causing the bulge portion and depression to move toward the bar I when suddenly the downward pressure by the inner end of the spring member on the outer end of the latter is overcome, displacing the depression 4 in a direction opposite to its previous displacement and causing it to throw the outer end 9 of the spring member away from the bar I, the spring metal member 4 then taking its normal longitudinally curved outline or shape and in spaced relation to the bar I ready for the reception of materials therebetween and the bar through the aforesaid throat I0.

It will thus be seen that there is an alternate r 2,009,041 displacement of the depression I in opposite di-- rections and a consequent alternate bulging and deflecting of the inner end portion of the metal spring member 4 to effect a clamping action by distortion of the spring metal member 4 and a restoration of the normally curved structure of the spring metal member to its normal condition, both accomplished by means of hand pressure at different points on the clasp. The result is a simple and inexpensive clasp designed for the specific purposes mentioned and capable of being used for other purposes and having a snapping action peculiarly pleasing in snapping sound and action as the spring clasping member is finger or thumb and finger pressed into action for operation.

The bulging of the spring metal member 4 and the displacement of the concavmconvex portion 8 provides an auxiliary spring action to the spring metal member 4 which is operable to give quick snap actions "over-center in opposite directions for ready application or removal of the clasp from materials clasped therein. The outer member or bar I may be of plain precious metal or it may have inscribed or otherwise placed thereon an initial, design, insignia, emblem or other character of ornamentation.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the clasp described may serve merely to connect the ends of a tied four-inhand necktie or scarf together rather than connect the said necktie ends to the shirt bosom and it will be understood that the clasping action is sufllciently strongunder the influence of the holding or locking of the outer ends of the clasp mem bers by the auxiliary spring portion 6 to positively hold the clasp in position, but if desired, and as illustrated in Fig. 10, both or either the bar I or the spring metal member 4' may have teeth or protuberances II to accord additional security against accidental disconnection of the clasp from an article or articles clamped therebetween. Aside from the teeth or protuberances II this modified form of the invention is the same as the form of invention previously referred to herein.

Another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 goes to a modification of the concave-convex auxiliary spring portion hereinbefore referred to and which, as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, may take oblong form as indicated at 6' and which is of concavo-convex formation; or,as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 this auxiliary spring portion may be eifected by means of a hammering action against the outer face of the spring metal member, as indicated at 6" in Figs. 13 and 14 and this hammering extends over an area substantially the length of the aforesaid oblong shaped concavo-convex auxiliary spring portion 6'. Under this hammering action to provide indentations there still results concavo-convex formations characteristic of the concavo-convex formations of the auxiliary spring portions hereinbefore described.

Another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16 goes to the employment of a single piece of resilient material including clasp members l2 and "formed from a single piece of material bent to provide a bight portion i4 to connect the clasp members I! and I3 together in spaced relation. To render the outer clasp member stiff and rigid and to ornament it, there may be a stiff, plain, precious metal or omamental member II in the nature of a strip of veneer of gold or other precious metal or material and which may have an ornamental instead of a plain outer i tials, emblems, designs or the like pleasing to the esthetic To this end the ornamental facing sheath, bar or strip II may be providediwitb longitudinal flanges l4 whereby to slide the bar or strip "onto the outer clasp member l2 and which'maybe secured thereon in sny'suitable manner-,1 as for,

instance, by means I! which will permit of'a removal of the bar or strip ll if desired for replacement by another-bar or strip a diflerent initial Ol' design. racing bar, plate or strip ll stiflens the outer clasp member and as the inner clasp member" is formed ,of'the,

same material and structure as the inner clan: members hereinbefore described, including the auxiliary spring ,portionQthe operation; of this form of clasp should be understoodwithoutfurther description. This form'of cla'spflllustrated in Figs. 15 and is is especially adaptable to: the

use of different designs, emblems,finsignia or the like to meet fancies ordesires of dealers ,or' purchasers, many of whom might" prefer. initials on the face of the strip' or bar I! or. have different.- ideas as to nature of designs, emblems 'or the like. Accordingly, variousinitialed, Plain or ornamental face plates, strips or barsjl l may besupplied dealers for the outei'iclasp member as may be desired or required. f 1

This form of clasp is therefore particularly adaptable as an initial or other, device for application to, wearing apparel articles'an'd usableby the wearer in different associations, as may be also the other forms described, andall forms being usable for emergency purposes or times when needed to clasp papers or other materials together temporarily. a

If desired and as illustrated inFigure 1'], the form of front member I", thesame in form as'the aforesaid front clasp member I inthe'first form described, may have openings I4 therein to coact with protuberances I! on the inner face of the back clasp member 4 to create a'snubbing action on the fabrics or other materials 20. Of course, instead of the perforations or openings ll, indentations 2|, may be provided in the inner face of the front member i'" to coact with the protuberances is as fragmentarily illustrated in Fig. 18

to eflfect a snubbing ciasp on the'fabric or other 24 and 26 to form an auxiliary spring portion. ,In'

this slitted form, the inner end of the metal spring member is rigidly secured to the support I by means of rivets or the like 21 and it is normally spaced from the front cla'spmember II and curved longitudinally as in the first'form de-" scribed.

By finger or thumb and finger pressure on the outer end of the spring metal member, 22 thesame snaps, as in the first form described, into clasping relation with the outer end of the outer clasp member under the influence of said intermediate strand 25 which moves in opposite directions with relation to and beyond the planes of the'outermost strands 24 and 24 as the inner end of the spring metal member moves toward and away 7 from the outer end of the outer clasp member 22.

In other words, the intermediate strand 2| efl'ectstbesamefunctionsandactionsasdoesthe aforaaid depressions referred to in the other form of the invention, the intermediate strand being displaceable in opposite directions outwardly and inwardly of the outermost strands, eilecting the snapping action and the restoration ofthenormalcurvatuieofthespringmetalclasp member. a

In all of the forms of the invention described and illustrated herein it will be understood that the front clasp member is preferably relatively still or rigid, whether or not the aforesaid removable initial strip is employed, but it is not my desire to limit the invention to this extent, as appears from the appended claims, and I also wish it understood that the front clasp may be of a form other than a flat solid plate or bar but that it may take any other common form, indicative of other articles, especially for the purpose of providing a front clasp member highly ornamental in appearance irrespective of whether formed of a solid or open plate or what-not in design nature.

In Figs. 22 and 23 there is illustrated another modification wherein the relatively stiff outer clasp member I! has a support 30 at one end to which the inner end of the inner spring clasp member Si is riveted as at 32 and which is provided with a series of aligning depressions I3, 84, 3! and a arranged alternately upon the inner and outer faces of the spring metal clasp member and shown as gradually decreasing in diameter and depth toward the outer end of the clasp members. The action of this type or form of the invention is the same as the other forms described.

In Figs. 24 and 25 there is illustrated another form of the invention, 31 indicating the outer relatively stiff clasp member and 38 designating the inner spring metal member, riveted, as at 3!, to the support II. In this form of the invention, the depressions, indicated generally at 4| are arranged close together, forming an embossed eflect resulting in the substantially pyramidal shaped protuberances 42, one face of the spring metal clasp 8| resulting in depressions 43 on the opposite face of the spring metal member and each of said oppodte faces of the spring metal members thereby having spaced substantially pyramidal shaped protuberanoes and intervening depressions. The action of this form of the invention is the same as the other forms described.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 26 and 2'! wherein a group of depressions is indicated at 44, formed close together from the outer side of the spring clasp member 0 which is secured in any suitable manner, as by rivets l! to the support 41 of the outer relatively stiif clasp member ll. The action of this form of the invention is the same as in the other forms described. the essential feature of all of the various forms of the invention being the snap action of one clasp member into and out of clasping cooperation with another clasp member, snapping across the area having one or more depressions therein and displacing the depressions or a portion from one side of the body of the spring metal member to the other side thereof and locking the clasping members in operative or inoperative clasping relation.

In all of the forms of the invention herein described it will be apparent that there is provided a clasping device embodying two clasp members connectedtogetheratoneendandwhlchare spaced throughout their lengths from each other, one of the clasp members being composed of spring metal and being curved longitudinally and when in this condition the spring metal clasp member is free of stress and tension and presents a concave outer face and a convex inner face when the spring metal clasp member is open. It will be understood from the foregoing description and that which is to follow that in all forms of the invention the spring metal clasp member is adapted to be flexed under the influence of finger or thumb and flnger pressure to substantially reverse the curvature of a portion of the spring metal member for casing the same to occupy aclosed or .a clamping positionwith relation to the companion clasp member, the spring metal member snapping quickly into such clasping position. The spring. metal member carries means for action upon the flexing of the spring metal member to maintain or lock the flexed clasping position of the said spring metal clasp member with relation to the companion clasp member and'prevent opening of the clasp members except by force upon the spring metal clasp member.

This means which actuatesto maintain the flexed condition of the spring metal member may actuate upon force exerted upon the spring metal member to snap the latter quickly out of clasping relation with the companion clasp member and thereby restore the normal condition and curvature of the spring metal clasp member. These operative characteristics are effected where the companion clasp member is of a single piece of material and whether rigid or not or whether the outer clasp member is composed of a resilient material sheathed in the aforesaid removable ornamental member which may have sliding movement on the resilient outer member as previously described herein. The essential feature of the invention goes particularly to the means for maintaining the spring metal spring member with relation to a companion clasp member and in the characteristics in the spring metal member having to do with the snapping and the holding of the spring metal member with relation to the companion clasp member.

What is claimed is:

l. A clasp comprising a rigid member and a spring metal member connected together at one end and normally spaced apart longitudinally of the clasp throughout their lengths, the spring metal member having a depressed portion intermediate its ends which is displaceable in opposite directions, alternately, with respect to the spring metal member under the influence of pressure at spaced points on the spring metal member toward the rigid member to thereby snap the outer end of the spring metal member, alternately, toward and away from the rigid clasp member, and maintain the outer end of the spring metal member temporarily in open or closed positions, alternately, with relation to the rigid member, said depressed portion being maintained at all times inspaced relation to said rigid member.

2. A clasp comprising two members'connected permanently together at one end and extending longitudinally with relation to each other and normally spaced apart throughout their lengths, one of said members being composed of spring metal and longitudinally curved and having a depressed portion intermediate its ends which becomes displaced with relation to the spring member upon inward pressure on the latter toward the other clasp member to control the position of the outer clasping end of the metal member with relation to the other clasp member.

. spaced relation, one of said members being composed of spring metal and longitudinally curved and having a depression in its outer face which is displaceable to over-center positions in opposite directions in spaced relation to the other clasp member on inward pressure at spaced points on the spring metal member to thereby control the opening and closing movements of the outer end of the spring metal member with relation to the corresponding end of the other clasp member.

4. A clasp comprising a relatively rigid front member bent at one end to provide a rigid support extending forwardly longitudinally of the clasp in spaced relation to the front clasp member and substantially parallel therewith, a rear spring metal clasp member having its inner end rigidly secured to said support and extending longitudinally of the front clasp member normally in spaced relation thereto, said rear spring member being curved longitudinally and provided intermediate its ends with an auxiliary spring portion consisting of a depression formed in the outer face of the spring metal member and being concavo-convex and displaceable alternately, in opposite directions upon inward pressure exerted at spaced points upon the rear spring metal member to snap the outer end of the spring metal member and lock the outer end of the spring metal member in diflerent positions, alternately, to maintain the outer end of the spring member temporarily in open or closed relation with the front member.

5. A clasp comprising two members connected together at one end and extending longitudinally with relation to each other and normally spaced apart, one of said members being rigid and the other member being composed of spring metal longitudinally curved and having an auxiliary spring portion intermediate its-ends which becomes displaced in opposite directions, alternately, with respect to the spring metal member under the influence of pressure at spaced points on the spring metal member toward the rigid clasp member to deflect the outer end of the spring metal member to maintain the outer end of the spring metal member in open and closed positions, alternately, with relation to the rigid clasp member according to the point of pressure applied to the spring metal clasp member, said auxiliary spring portion of the spring metal member being maintained at all times in spaced relation to the other clasp member. v

6. A clasp comprising a relatively long substantially rigid bar bent atone end to provide a support extending over the bar forwardly'thereof, and a spring metal member secured at one end to said support and extending longitudinally of said bar and normally spaced therefrom, said metal spring member having a depression intermediate its ends which is displaceable with reference to the spring metal member under the influence of pressure on the latter to snap the outer end of the spring metal member toward and away from the outer end of the bar and maintain the outer end of the spring metal member in either of its positions with relation to said bar, said depression being maintained by position and yieldability of the spring metal member at all times spaced from said rigid bar.

9,009,941 spring I. A clasp comprising two members connected together at one end and normally spaced apart longitudinally, .oneof said members beingcurved and composed of spring metal, the spring metal member having an auxiliary spring portion intermediate its ends which is displaceable in opposite directions with relation to the spring metal member and maintained by the spring metal member at all times spaced from the other clasp member whereby upon pressure exerted upon the outer end of the spring metal member toward the other clasp member said auxiliary spring portion is displaced outwardly of the spring metal mem- I ber and the outer end of the spring metal member locked in cooperative clasping relation with the other of said clasping members.

8. A clasp comprising two members connected together at one end and normally spaced apart longitudinally, one of said members being curved and composed of spring metal, the spring metal member having an auxiliary spring portion intermediate its ends which is displaceable in opposite directions with relation to the spring metal member and maintained by the spring metal member at all times spaced from the other clasp member whereby upon pressure exerted upon the outer end of the spring metal member toward the other clasp member said auxiliary spring portion is displaced outwardly of the spring metal member and the outer end of the spring metal member locked in cooperative clasping relation with the other of said clasping members, one of the clasp members having perforations at its outer end and the other clasp member having protuberances at its outer end for cooperation with said perforations to increase the clasping action on materials clasped between the ends of the clasp members.

9. A clasp comprising two members connected together at one end and normally spaced apart longitudinally, one of said members being curved and composed of spring metal, the spring metal member having an auxiliary spring portion intermediate its ends which is displaceable in opposite directions with relation to the spring metal member and by the springmetal member maintained at all times out of contact with the other clasp member whereby upon pressure exerted upon the outer end of the spring metal member toward the other clasp member said auxiliary spring portion is displaced outwardly of the spring metal member and the outer end of the spring metal member locked in cooperative clasping relation with the other of said clasping members, the clasp members at their outer ends being roughened to increase the gripping action on materials between the ends of the clasp members.

10. A clasp comprising two members connected together at one end and normally spaced apart longitudinally, one of said members being curved and composed of spring metal, the spring metal member having an auxiliary spring portion intermediate its ends which is displaceable in opposite directions with relation to the spring metal member and by the spring metal member main tained at 'all times out of contact with the other clasp member whereby upon pressure exerted upon the outer end of the spring metal member toward the other clasp member, said auxiliary spring portion is displaced outwardly of the spring metal member and the outer end of the spring metal member locked in cooperative clasping re!- lation with the other of said clasping members, the clasp members having teeth on their opposite inner faces at the outer ends thereof to increase the gripping action on materials clasped between the ends of the clasp members.

11. A clasp including two resilient clasp members connected together at one end by a bight portion and normally longitudinally spaced apart a member slidably movable to position on one of said clasping members to stiifen the same and secured thereto, the other clasp member having a depression therein operable upon pressure exerted upon the latter clasp member to snap the outer end of the latter member toward and away from coacting clasping relation with the corresponding end of the other clasp member and to maintain the outer end of said resilient member in clasping relation with the outer end of the other clasping member.

12. A clasp comprising a clasp member including a member and a member slidably mounted thereon to stiffen the same and a second clasp member connected at its inner end to the aforesaid clasp member, the second clasp member being composed of spring metal and having an auxiliary spring portion which is displaceable, alternately, in opposite directions upon inward pressure exerted at spaced points upon the spring metal clasp member toward the first mentioned clasp member to snap the outer end of the spring metal member toward and away from the first mentioned clasp member and lock the same in diflerent positions, alternately, to maintain the outer end of the spring member temporarily in open or closed relation with the first mentioned clasp member, said displaceable auxiliary spring portion being operable out of engagement with the opposite clasp member.

13. A clasp comprising two members connected together at opposite ends and normally spaced apart longitudinally, one of said clasp members being composed of spring metal and having an auxiliary spring portion intermediate its ends consisting of a depression which is displaceable in opposite directions, alternately, upon inward pressure exerted at spaced points upon the spring metal member to snap the outer end quickly toward and away from the outer end of the other clasp member according to the point of pressure on the spring metal member and to hold the outer end of the spring metal member in its diiierent positions in the absence of inward pressure on the spring metal member, said auxiliary spring portion being maintained at all times out of engagement with the opposite clasp member.

14. A clasp comprising a relatively rigid bar and a spring metal clasp member connected to the bar at one end thereof, said spring metal clasp member being curved longitudinally and normally spaced throughout its length from the body of said bar and having a displaceable portion therein substantially midway of the ends thereof and which is displaceable in opposite directions over center and maintained at all times out of engagement with said bar upon inward pressure upon the spring metal member at spaced points along the latter to alternately open and close the clasp according to the point of pressure and to maintain the open or closed condition in the absence of inward pressure on the spring metal member.

15. A clasp comprising two clasping members of substantially the same length and width and connected together in spaced relation at one end, one of said clasp members being composed of spring metal and normally spaced throughout its length from the other clasp member and being curved longitudinally and free of stressand tension and presenting a concave outer face and a convex inner face when the spring metal clasp member is spaced from the companion clasp member and adapted to be flexed to substantially reverse the curvature of a portion of the spring metal member for causing the outer end thereof to occupy a clasping position with relation to the companion clasp member and maintain the remaining portion of the spring metal member spaced from the other clasp member.

16. A clasp comprising two clasping members connected together in spaced relation at one end, one of said clasp members being composed of spring metal and normally spaced throughout its length from the other clasp member and being curved longitudinally and free of stress and tension and presenting a concave outer face and a convex inner face when the spring metal clasp member is spaced from the companion clasp member and adapted to be flexed to substantially reverse the curvature of a portion of the spring metal member for causing the same to occupy a clasping position with relation to the companion clasp member, and means carried by the spring metal member and operable out of engagement with the other clasp member for action upon flexing of the spring metal member to maintain the flexed clasping position of the said clasp member with relation to the companion clasp member.

17. A clasp comprising two clasping members connected together at one end, one of said clasp members being substantially rigid and the other clasp member being composed of spring metal and normally spaced from the other clasp member and being curved longitudinally and free of stress and tension and presenting a concave outer face and a convex inner face when the spring metal clasp member is spaced from the companion clasp member and adapted to be flexed to substantially reverse the curvature of a. portion of the spring metal member for causing the same to occupy a clasping position with relation to the companion clasp member, and means carried by the spring metal member operable for action in spaced relation to the substantially rigid clasp member upon flexing of the spring metal member to maintain the flexed clasping position of the said clasp member with relation to the companion clasp member, the said means operating out of engagement with the substantially rigid clasp member upon inward pressure exerted upon the spring metal member to snap the spring metal member out of clasping relation with the companion clasp member and restore the normal condition and curvature of the spring metal clasp member.

18. A clasp comprising a bar and a spring metal clasp member secured to one end of the bar and normally spaced therefrom and curved longitudinally and normally free of tension, means intermediate the ends of the spring metal member operable out of engagement with said bar for displacement with relation to the spring metal member upon pressure applied inwardly on and at the outer end of the latter to bulge the inner end of the spring metal member outwardly and to snap the outer end of said spring metal member inwardly into clasping relation with the outer end of said bar and to hold the same in operative clasping relation therewith.

19. A clasp, comprising a bar and a spring metal clasp member secured to one end of the bar and normally spaced therefrom and curved longitudinally and normally free of tension, means intermediate the ends of the spring metal member operable out of engagement with said barvior displacement with relation to the spring metal member upon pressure applied inwardly on and at the outer end of the latter to bulge the inner end of the spring metal member outwardly and to snap the outer end of said spring metal member inwardly into elasping relation with the outer-end of said bar and to hold the same in operative clasping relation therewith, said outer end of the spring metal member being snapped out of operative clasping relation with the outer end of said bar and the spring metal member restored to its unclasping position by pressure applied on or between said means and the inner end of the spring metal member and said means during the latter operation being maintained spaced from said bar.

20. A clasp comprising an outer clasp member, an inner spring metal clasp member, the members being secured together at one end and normally spaced apart and the inner spring metal clasp member being curved longitudinally and intermediate its ends being provided with longitudinal slits dividing a portion 01. the spring metal member into three spaced strands, the intermediate strand being displaceable in opposite directions with relation to the other strands, to form an auxiliary spring portion whereby the outer end of the spring metal clasp member is adapted to be snapped into and out of 'clasping relation with the outer clasp member by inward pressure on the spring metal clasp member at spaced points.

21. A clasp comprising a relatively rigid bar and a spring metal clasp member connected to the bar at one end thereof and being normally curved longitudinally and normally spaced from the body and having an auxiliary spring portion comprising a series of aligning depressions therein and which are displaceable in opposite directions over center upon inward pressure upon the spring metal member at spaced points along the latter to open and close the clasp according to the point of pressure, said auxiliary spring portion maintaining the spring metal member in open or closed relation with said bar in the absence of pressure thereon.

22. A clasp comprising a relatively rigid bar and a spring metal clasp member connected to the bar at one end thereof and being normally curved longitudinally and normally spaced from the body and having an auxiliary spring portion comprising a series of aligning depressions therein and which are displaceable in opposite directions over center upon inward pressure upon the spring metal member at spaced points along the the latter to open and close the clasp according to the point of pressure, said auxiliary spring portion maintaining the spring metal member in open or closed relation with said bar in the absence of pressure thereon, said depressions being formed alternately on the outer and inner face of the spring metal member.

23. A clasp comprising a relatively rigid bar and a spring metal clasp member connected to the bar at one end thereof and being normally curved longitudinally and normally spaced from the body and having an auxiliary spring portion comprising a group of protuberances and depressions on each side of the spring metal member intermediate the ends or the latter and which group of protuberances and depressions are displaceable in opposite directions over center with respect to the plane of the spring metal member upon inward pressure upon the latter at spaced points along the spring metal member to open and close the latter with relation to said bar.

24. A clasp comprising a relatively rigid bar and a spring metal clasp member connected to the bar at one end thereof and being normally curved longitudinally and normally spaced from the body and having an auxiliary spring portion comprising a group of depressions formed in the outer face of the spring metal member intermediate the ends of the latter and which depressions are displaceable in opposite directions over center with relation to the plane of the spring metal member upon inward pressure on the latter at spaced points along the spring metal member to maintain the latter in open or closed clasping relation with said bar.

EDWIN 8. MIX. 

